Participants to Habano Festival Visit Tobacco Plantations

HAVANA, Cuba, Feb 27 (ACN) Participants to the 20th Habano Festival toured on Tuesday tobacco plantations in Vuelta Bajo, Pinar del Rio province to learn about the cultivation process of the different layers of leaves used to elaborate the Cuban Premium cigars.

Producer Jose Antonio Rodriguez told the participants at El Valle farm belonging to the Isidro Garcia Credits and Services Cooperative that what is called sun tobacco is grown in his plantation, a variety of Habano 92 whose yield is between 8 to 9 tons per hectare.

The campesino pointed out that the climate is behaving in a favorable manner and is expecting an excellent harvest regarding the 2017-2018 tobacco campaign. Humidity and the soil are currently the perfect combination to achieve a natural product, admired by its aroma, color, texture and taste.

During a visit to the western region, the assistants also learned that after the harvest of the aromatic leaf they remain in the tobacco houses for a time and later is sent to the centers to be selected and processed.

Later the initial process of drying, fermentation and classification of each leaf is carried out in a center in San Juan y Martinez.

In the context of the Habano Festival, the first rum with a smoked note mark was presented on Tuesday, Tribute 2018 by Havana Club International S.A.

According to the President of the joint venture company, Christian Barra, we are dealing with the most recent delivery of the Iconic collection of the Havana Club International Company that pays tribute each year to the different elements that make up part of the authentic process of production.

Another of the main novelties of the event, with the participation of some 2 thousand delegates from 70 countries, is the Habanos World Challenge Contest with a first elimination stage held on Monday.

Other events are the Habanosommelier Contest, in addition to classes and master conferences, led by renowned experts in the cigar world.

The brands with have a special part of the event to conclude on Saturday are Cohiba with the presentation of the 2014 Robustos Reserve harvest and Partagas with is Maduro (Mature) Line.